Is it true in the late 80s, ballplayers actually boycotted Topps over their Garbage Pail Kids cards?

Estil

I used to read this Q&A book from around late 80s (from Sports Collector's Digest I believe) that compliled all their "best of" from their Q&A section. Well, there was one question that I thought was curious. It mentioned that Glenn Davis (and others) will not sign Topps cards, but will sign other cards, and the collector was wondering why. The answer was that they were "boycotting" Topps over their opposition to their Garbage Pail Kids cards (but didn't really explain why).

Can anyone who's actually been a collector since at least that time explain what the deal was then?

WinPitcher

I actually was on CBS evening news regarding those cards. The local elementary school had banned them and CBS news made a big deal out of that. When asked where the kids were getting the cards my shop was mentioned. Long story short there was a big bruhaha <sp> regarding those cards to some cuz of names like Annrexeus and the like. I at one time had every card in the 15 series set. I did not have some variations of the backs though.

As far as some major leaguers boycotting Topps I do not remm that but could see Glenn Davis doing something like that.


Steve

Estil

I also remember reading in Baseball Cards Magazine regarding a letter about how much GPK cards are worth. The answer? The name says it all, garbage. Is that still true now?

CDsNuts

You could do a simple ebay search and find that early Garbage Pail Kids are still in high demand. Unopened boxes and complete sets of series 1 can go in the thousands.

Lee

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

I used to have a few along with Wacky Packages. They re-released them and now my boys collect them and there is huge interest in the older ones.

Estil

<< <i>You could do a simple ebay search and find that early Garbage Pail Kids are still in high demand. Unopened boxes and complete sets of series 1 can go in the thousands.

Lee >>



How ironic that stuff that was once "garbage" is actually now highly coveted, while stuff "that's SURE to go up!!!!" back then, well, hasn't.

basestealer

I collected them in the 80's, and a lot of rumors were passed around the school then that turned out not to be true.

There was a lawsuit filed by Cabbage Patch Kids, but it was settled out of court. Topps continued making the Garbage Pail Kids with some slight changes in Series 10 and beyond, that complied with the out of court settlement. Obviously, some parents and teachers were outraged and pressured the company to pull the series. Jerry Falwell preached against them, and the network sponsors pulled their ads from the short-lived cartoon show. There were reports of retailers pulling the cards from the shelves, as well as schools banning them, but I don't think that had much impact on sales. Garbage Pail Kids were the most successful non-sports cards Topps ever produced, even surpassing Wacky Packages. I think the reason they stopped making them in the late 80's was the fad had waned and sales were down. They made 14 or 16 series (can't remember), but I collected series 1 through 13, so I guess my own interest in them faded during that time, too.

In the mid 90's I went into my local card shop and he had cases and cases of series 3 and up for less than their original sticker price. I thought about selling my collection then, because I didn't think they'd ever be worth anything. Recently, I've seen them sell for hundreds of dollars and more for unopened product, and series 1 and 2 is a hot product in any condition.

RedHeart54

GPKs are the reason I got into collecting in the first place (circa 1986-87). Series 1 and 2 cards were highly coveted even then and anyone who had 1A Nasty Nick or 1B Evil Eddie was a very lucky kid.

RipublicaninMass

...and Furry Fran took on a whole new meaning as an adult

MantleMarisFordBerra

I love GPK. I had quite a few when I was a kid, but my brother took 'em to school & the teacher threw 'em out. However, over the years collecting baseball cards, I have sometimes run into some, and have picked up a ton for way cheap. In fact, I once walked into a store & saw a guy had a box of unopened packs from Series 4, I figured i buy a pack or two for old times sake...but the guy kept trashin' em, sayin' how they were worthless junk ect...so I said, "Hey, I'll give ya $5 for the whole box."


$old! Still have 'em too.

envoy98

I actually had a kid in my school dress up like Adam Bomb. He put a chefs hat on and painted it like a ball of fire, then carried around an atari controller for his "nuke" button. Pretty ingenious costume. My school did ban the trading of them during school. I remember the first time I saw the ole Nasty Nick card at the local card shop. It was the whole set of A&B cards from series one in a nice acrylic case...for the low low price of $299. I remember BEGGING my mom to buy it for me. Never did get it. I did get a $14 box of 88 Topps baseball though.

WinPitcher

4SC has a bunch of 2nd series in PSA 9 going off in an hr. or two. 5.00 starting bid. Every card has 1 bid, thus far.

Not sure if they are worth moon money ....yet. In 10 more years you might see some action though. 1st series is always in demand it seems.

Steve

gemint

A friend of mine has a series 1 rack pack. I've always told him it's valuable but not sure how much. Has anyone seen what these sell for?

basestealer

<< <i>4SC has a bunch of 2nd series in PSA 9 going off in an hr. or two. 5.00 starting bid. Every card has 1 bid, thus far.

Not sure if they are worth moon money ....yet. In 10 more years you might see some action though. 1st series is always in demand it seems.

Steve >>


Just saw those. Those are series 3, though.